Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai on Monday claimed the trends in postal ballots and EVM results of the Maharashtra assembly polls appear inconsistent, raising doubts about the integrity of the EVM system.
Sardesai, who defeated NCP’s Zeeshan Siddique to win the Vandre East assembly seat in the debut contest, pointed out an unusual spike in voter turnout during the last two hours of polling and demanded clarification from the Election Commission (EC).
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Sardesai cited statistical anomalies in the EC’s official data, urging for more transparency and accountability. “While I am not directly accusing anyone, the data presented raises questions that need to be addressed,” he stated.
He explained that postal ballots typically reflect the general voting trend in the constituencies. Sardesai noted that the trends in postal ballots had been consistent with EVM results in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the MVA alliance won 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra.
However, he highlighted a significant discrepancy in this year’s assembly elections. For example, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was leading in 31 constituencies through postal ballots, while the BJP-led Mahayuti was ahead in 16 constituencies. Yet, the final EVM results showed the MVA securing only 46 seats, while the Mahayuti tally surged to 230 seats in assembly polls, he said.
In a further example, Sardesai noted the results in the Worli constituency, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray received 874 postal votes but 62,450 EVM votes. His opponent, Milind Deora, received 522 postal votes but 54,001 EVM votes, further raising questions about the voting process.
“Congress leader Nana Patole was ahead by 54% in postal ballots but saw a sharp 12.7% drop in EVM counts,” he said. Similarly, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil, who had 70% of postal votes, experienced an 18% decline in EVM results, Sardesai said.
“How is it possible that in almost every case, MVA candidates experienced a 5-15% decline in votes from postal to EVM results?” he asked.
